Subjectivity and Objectivity Through Plants in the Greenhouse

 Objective:

In the Normandale greenhouse, nestled between smooth river stones, lives a small fern. This fern is alone with only the mud and rocks as company. Light filters through the layers of leaves like a colander, reaching the fern in choppy rays. The fern's long stems unfurl from its center, each branch covered in countless small, semicircle leaves. The jewels of foliage appear to wrap around each stem, as if giving the fern the hug that it desperately needs. Each branch straightens out, reaching for the light, and then retracts back toward itself, curling under. The fern quietly observes from the edge of a small reservoir. It has begun to spread; little green dewdrops appear around the pond in an attempt to keep their mother company. The fern produces branch after branch, reaching out for some company, getting closer each time.

Subjective:

In a corner, wedged between humongous tropical plants, I noticed a bundle of pink flowers. This beautiful plant was comprised of dark green spears, gathered in starry clusters. It is a regal-looking plant, which I have never seen in its entirety before this encounter. The blooms attracted me like metal to a magnet; once I got closer, I realized that I recognized the plant. I only ever visit Trader Joe's when I am looking for flowers, and each time there is a bucket near the large sliding doors labeled Alstroemeria. This bouquet is full of bouquets of what look like miniature tiger lilies. The Alstroemeria come in many colors; each stem has a collection of at least five blooms at the top, surrounded by sad, crumpled leaves. It startled me, to spot the flower in a greenhouse surrounded by other plants. In its natural habitat, the Alstroemeria is noble and bold, with petals like a flamingo’s feathers. It is perplexing to see a plant in multiple contexts. I pitied the Trader Joe's flowers I had seen before, stuck in tight rows, only to be cut and squished among other plants till you die.

Note: I do not know why I wrote both of these in such a depressing tone, I was very excited about both plants!